Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a government official who faked his academic certificate to obtain a well-paying job.
In a statement, EACC explained that the suspect, Javason Kimemia Maina, forged the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) from Kimuri Secondary School.
He then used the forged academic certificate to land employment at the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
Maina was arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions concurred with recommendations of the Commission to charge him with fraudulent acquisition of public property being Ksh293,240.94 salary paid to him by REREC, forgery, and uttering a false document.
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The suspect was released on a bond of Ksh700,000 surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Kenya shillings Ksh400,000.
"The matter will be mentioned on 26th February 2024 for a pre-trial conference," EACC wrote.
His arrest came after Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Anthony Muchiri said over 2,000 public officers secured jobs, promotions, and re-designations using fake academic papers.
“According to the reports received by the Commission, there are substantial cases of forged academic and professional certificates used for the award of appointments, promotions, or re-designation in the public service,” Muchiri stated.
According to PSC, at least 331 institutions were targeted in the probe, of which 52 were ministries, State Departments, and Agencies.
"The Commission will also investigate allegations it has received to the effect that some public entities didn't forward to the Public Service Commission all the names of their officers with forged certificates. Action will be taken against any culpable head of a state agency involved in attempts to protect academic cheats," EACC pledged.
